Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Habitat Enhancement

Brushlands and openlands in forested regions of Minnesota provide critical early successional habitats for a suite of migratory and non-migratory wildlife species. Fire suppression and lack of agency funding are factors that have contributed to a backlog of brushland habitats that have not been managed to replicate a natural disturbance regime. As a result these sites have continued to mature and the physical characteristics are no longer providing the benefits to these species. Conservation organizations such as RGS, WMI, and ABC as well as agencies (USFWS, USFS, MN DNR) have cited a need for this type of management in the forested regions of the eastern united states. This project will result in the diversification of age classes on state owned brushland and openlands across the forested regions of Minnesota. This grant would allow conservation organizations to work with public land managers to address this critical habitat need.